Tension over Religious Sites Leaves Dozens Hurt in Jerusalem Clashes

Palestinians and Israeli police have clashed near the Jerusalem compound housing the al-Aqsa mosque, leaving dozens of people injured. A large group of Palestinians left Friday prayers and began marching to the mosque, carrying banners and waving green flags, witnesses and police said. Police tried to disperse the crowd – some of whom were throwing stones – using stun grenades and tear gas. It is the latest in a series of clashes amid tensions over religious sites.

The Jerusalem complex is known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount, and has long been contested. The recent violence has been triggered by Israel's decision to add two shrines in the occupied West Bank to its list of national heritage sites.

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I don’t know that the United States is ‘God’s Country,’ but the church has been so strong here, and because of its influence, we hold life to be sacred and we believe that individuals have dignity. This is part of our legacy.